‘BBQ Connoisseur’s Paradise’

Calvary Christian School prepares for third annual CCSFest, with proceeds benefitting students and teachers

Calvary Christian School purchased a new sign in 2016 with proceeds from CCSFest.

Calvary Christian School teacher. Mrs. Sandy Johnston has used her new document camera nearly every day in her classroom since receiving it. With the camera projecting onto the whiteboard, the students are able to show off their artwork to classmates or display a book under it and read aloud.

The camera is courtesy of funds raised from last year’s CCSFest.

“It’s a great tool,” Johnston said. “With it being a private school, if we have things we want to update, a fundraiser like this is a great way to do it.”

In the past two years, the festival and BBQ competition, organized by a leadership team from the Parent Teacher Council, has used its funds to purchase a sign for the front of the school and contributed money for teachers to purchase items needed or desired in the classroom.

“CCS Fest has benefitted our school in a lot of ways, primarily because our teachers and classes are involved in some part of the festival,” said principal, Rev. Charles M. Barcus. “They’re working towards some percentage of the profit. They can use the profit in some way that will benefit the kids in their class. Though it’s a lot of work, it’s uniting for a common purpose and that’s a big, tangible benefit from CCS Fest.”

The festival will take place, rain or shine, for the third year on April 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the school, 3639 S. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis. The event includes a professional Kansas City Barbeque Society competition, massive kids zone, car/bike show, artisan fair, live music, 25 food trucks, a fast-pitch competition and more. WIBC will broadcast at CCSFest, live.

New this year, sponsor All Star Roof, Siding and More purchased a replica Cubs World Series trophy and ring, which will be available for guests to pose for a selfie with for a $5 charge. CCS will have its own food booth this year where its pit masters Aaron McCreery and Mike McFarland will smoke pork and sell a pulled pork plate with two sides and a drink for $10. Dr. Lindel M Anderson CCS’ music director, dean of music at Indiana Bible College and Music Minister at Calvary Tabernacle is heading up the all-day live music schedule where more than 20 groups, choirs, soloists and musicians will perform.

“To me, what’s fun is to see this little city of people come together in our parking lot,” Barcus said. “It comes together in a day and a half or so. The professional cooks show up. The vendors show up. It’s this beehive of people that come together for a couple of hours and then it’s gone.”

Barcus referred to CCSFest as a ‘BBQ connoisseur’s paradise,” between the professional competition and vendors which will sell bbq.

The festival raised $10,000 for the school in 2015 and $15,000 in 2016. The goal this year is $20,000. For more information, visit ccsfest.com.